Protective and reflective device



April 25, 1961 G. A. BESNAH PROTECTIVE AND REFLECTIVE DEVICE Filed June8, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 25, 1961 G. A. BESNAH 2,981,256

PROTECTIVE AND REFLECTIVE DEVICE Filed June 8, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2tates amass Patented Apr. 25, 1961 The subject invention is concernedwith a protective and reflective device for a reclining individual andis particularly concerned with an enclosure that reflects light rays,keeps undesirable materials from the user and affords privacy.

Individuals interested in absorbing lightrays, such as sun bathers orusers of sun lamps generally enjoy this activity in a recliningposition. In this position certain problems are presented, particularlywhere the mdividual involved is a sun bather on a sandy beach. Theeffect of the wind blowing across the sand or the ground may beirritating. Moreover, other users in the immediate area may kick sand orotherwise annoy the reclining indiw'dual. Accordingly, it is seen to bedesirable to have a type of enclosure which affords some measure ofprivacy for the sunbather. When an enclosure is used in this fashion, asshown in the subject invention, the walls can then be so positioned asto beneficially increase the ordinary intensity of the light rays on thereclining individual.

This type of enclosure would generally be used by sun bathers at a beachor park, and it would be desirable to have an enclosure that can becollapsed into a compact, lightweight, portable unit.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide areflective device enclosing a reclining individual.

Another object of the subject invention is to provide a protective andreflective device that surrounds a reclining individual and beneficiallyincreases the natural intensity of light rays falling on the individual.

A further object of the subject invention is to provide an outdoorprotective and reflective device that includes ground contactingelements enablingthe device to be set up on any type of a generallyhorizontal surface.

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide an outdoorprotective and reflective device that includes associated portionsallowing the walls of said device to be pitched relative to thesupporting surface.

A further object of the subject invention is to provide anoutdoorprotective and reflective .device that can be collapsed to form acompact, lightweight, portable unit.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description when readinconnection'with the drawings, in

which: v Fig. l is an isometric view showing the protective and:reflective device in the open position Fig. 2 is an elevation view of anintersection of the walls of the device showingthe walls in partiallypitched position;

Fig. 3 is new similarito Fig. 2 showing the walls the full pitchedpositi n; r Fig. 4 isan end view'of the left side wall shown in Fig. 1in various pitched positions ing element attached thereto; W 5 is anenlarged isometricvie'w of a ground contacting element;'

with a ground t of an embodiment may be used for forming the panels.

,: end panels 31 panels 29-.and 37, respectively,

. arc and fold alongside panels 28 Fig. 6 is an enlarged isometric viewof another embodiment of a ground contacting element;

Fig. 7 is an isometric view, partly broken away, showing the protectiveand reflective device in partially folded position;

Fig. 8 is an isometric view showing the device in fully folded position;and

center bar 21 by hinges 24 and 26. Left side wall 27- is seen tocomprise a plurality of side panels 28, 29, 30 and 31 with intersectingor pitching means 33 associating one end of side wall 27 with one end offront panel 22.

Side wall 34 is similar to and corresponds with side wall 27 andcomprises side panels 36, 37, 38. and 39, which are similar to andcorrespond with side panels 28, 29, 30 and 31. Intersecting or pitchingmeans 41 is similar'to and corresponds to pitching means 33 andassociates one end of side wall 34 with front panel 23.

It should be understood that pitching means 41 operates in the samemanner as pitching means 33, and accordingly, only the function ofpitching means 33-which joins side wall 27 to front wall 20 will bedescribed, it being understood .thatpitching means 41 functions in thesame manner in joining side wall 34 to front wall 20.

It will be noticed that the side panels of side walls 27 and 34gradually diminish in height toward their. free ends. Endpanels 28 and36.are seen to be the same height as front panels 22 and 23 whileintermediate panels 29, 30, 37 and 38 decrease in height and free endpanels 31 and 39 are the smallest in height. The diminishment in heightof the side walls is possible as the reclining individuals head willgenerally be positioned near the front wall 20 where the greatest heightaffords the most protection. The walls of the protective device arepreferably formed of aluminum to afford a high degree of reflection andlightness of weight, and the decrease in size of the intermediate andfree end and cost of the device. However, the invention is not to beconsidered to be limited to any particular relation of size between thepanels or to panels made of aluminum as any light weight material, suchas plastic orcloth, In the aluminum embodiment shown the edges areturned over, as indicated, for example, by edge 40 on panel 39 for easy,safe.

handling, smoothness, and strengthening "of the panel. Also, in the Fig.1 embodiment itwill be noted that free and 39 are connected. to adjacentpanels 30 and '38 by hinges 52 and 53, respectively, so that panels 31and 39 can swingoutwardly' in a 180 alongside panels 30 and 38. Hinges54 and 55 connect intermediate. panels 30 and 38 toadjacent so thatpanels 30 and 38 can swinginwardly in.a 180 arc and fold alongsidepanels 29 and 37. Hinges 57 and panels 29 and37 to end panels 28 and36,.respectively, so that panels 29 and 37 can swing outwardly in a 180hinges, (not. shown) on pitching means v41 'co nnect' end panels 28 and36 to-front panels'22 and 23, respectively,

so that panels 28 and 36 can swing inwardly in a "arc I and fold;alongside. panels 22, and 23; Thus, the reflective. device is shortenedby collapsing into a compact, portable unit.

portions 42 and 43 mounted at their lower. ends onpivots 1. .45 and 50,respectively, .to' r lower corners of end panel 28 and'front panel22,'respectively. As more clearly seen in Figs-2 and 3 corner porpanelswill decrease the weight,

arc: and fold intermediate 58 connect intermediate and 36. Hinges 59 and1 Pitchingor corner means comprises a .pair of triw angular shapedcorner tions 42 and 43 have elongated arcuate slots 44 and 46 formed intheir upper sections. Threaded pins 47 and 43 are fixedly mounted inadjacent upper corners of panels 22 and 28 and adapted to projectthrough and slidably t in slots 44 and 46, respectively. Wing nuts 49and 51 are threaded on pins 47 and 48 for locking, the pins in anyselected position along the slots.

A plurality of elements shown as ground contacting supports 62 may beattached by hinges 63 to side walls 27 and 34. Only one element is shownin Fig. 1 but more than one could be attached on each side wall if suchsupport is desired. At the same time it should be emphasized that theprotective device can be usedwithout any supporting elements mounted onside walls 27 and 34. For example, on a sandy base, such as a beach, theside walls could be forced down into the sand thereby supportingthemselves. However, supports62 will be found helpful, particularly if astrong wind is blowing against the walls.

In the foot element 62 shown in Fig. l a foot member 64- is attached tohinge 63 and projects outwardly therefrom in operable position. Acircular shaped foot pad 66 is fastened at the outer end of member 64 togive a larger supporting surface. A brace 67is loosely connected at oneend to the outer end of member 64 and angles upwardly toward wall 34terminating at a hook 70 which can be selectively connected to any oneof a plurality of loops 68 fastened in side wall 34. Due to the hingedconnection 63 brace 67 can be detached from loop 68 and the element 62folded flat against side wall 34.

Another embodiment showing a foot element appears in Fig. where a hinge69 is used in the same manner as in Fig. 1. Foot element 71 comprises afoot member 72 extending from hinge 69 with a brace member 73 hingedlyconnected at the outer end of foot member 72. A rail 74 is fastened tothe outside of side wall 34 and includes a runner 76 slidably mountedtherein and having a loop 77 for engagement with a hook 75 on the end ofbrace 73. A wing nut 78 is threadedly engaged with runner 76 and incontact with-rail 74 so that tightening of wing nut 78 will lock runner76 in any selected position along rail 74. Element 71 can also be foldedflat along side wall 34 by loosening wing nut 78 and allowing runner 76to move to the top of rail 74.

Still another embodiment showing a foot element appears in. Fig. 6 wherea sliding stake element 31 is used to penetrate the surface on which theprotective device is placed. Stake element 81 comprises a shaft 82having a point 83 at one end and an internally formed slot 84 at theother end. A threaded pin 86 is mounted in wall 27 to project either onthe outside or inside of the wall and is illustrated in Fig. 6 asprojecting on the inside of side wall 27. Pin 86 passes through slot 84.and has a wing nut 87 threaded thereon so that stake 81 can beselectively locked in any'desired vertical position with respect to sidewall 27. 1

The foot element embodiments 62 and 71 shown in Figs. 1 and 5 can beused on any surface although they maybe particularly practical where thesurface is difficult to penetrate, such 'as hard ground, stone' orconcrete.

The'ernbodiment 81 shownin Fig. 6' would ,beparticularly useful ins'oft'gr'ound or sand to aid-in supporting the protective device. 1

. A screened-enclosure 91 may be formed 1n each side 7 wall 27 and '34,as shown in Fig. l, to permit ventilation topa'ss through the side wallsand over the 'individual rcclin'inginside. lf "ventilation" is not;desired, this screened enclosure can be covered-by flaps 92 {mounted;onhinges (notshownlon the inside of the *side walls.

When the enclosures 91 are open, ,fiaps 92m locked in upward'openposition by pivoted latches 93L Another embodiment of the protective andreflective f device'isfshown in Fig. 9 where it is used ;on' an elevatedgem-2 and structure shown asfia got 191 having crossed le itl3 andvhorizontal pro ecting an 104. The same.

numbers are used in Fig. .9 to designate elements similar to elementsappearing in the embodiment shown in Fig. l. Openings or cut outsections 196 are formed in end panels 218, 31, 36 and 39 so that theentire unit when piaccd on cot 101 will be supported on projections 104.When the protective device is used on an elevated structure, as theillustrated cot 101, the device will be constructed of a size to conformto the shape of the cot where the cot will be of a type having theprojecting horizontal portions 104.

When the protective and reflective device shown in Fig. 1 is in use, thewalls may be pitched or maintained relatively perpendicular to theground surface. When the walls are not pitched relative to the groundthe intersccting or pitching means are only used to associate the frontand side walls, but in this position some reflection or increasedintensity of the light rays will be available. However, when the wallsare pitched by using the pitching means, greater beneficial effect ofthe reflection of the light rays off the walls will be realized. To'adjust the walls 29, 27 and 34 of the embodiment shown inFig. l to apitched position wing nuts 49 and S1 of pitching means 33 are loosened.Only the operation of pitching means 33 will be described, it beingunderstood that pitching means 41 operates in the same manner. The walls20' and 27 are then pitched out and pins 47 and 48 will slide in slots44 and 46 to the desired position. A small degree of pitch may beestablished, such as shown in Fig. 2 or the maximum pitch utilized, asshown in Fig. 3, and the wing nuts 49 and 51 thereupon tightened to lockthe walls in the desired pitched position. Foot elements, such as thepreferred embodiment 71 shown in Fig. 5, are then adjusted by slidingrunners 76 in rails 74 to the corresponding desired position wheremembers 72 will be horizontal to the surface. Foot elements 71 are thepreferred embodiment as the runners 76 can be selectively locked in aninfinite number of positions whereas foot elements 62. shown in Fig. lare restricted in their various positions to the number of loopsfastened to wall '34.

The pitched positions of the walls are more clearly shown by the dashdotted lines in Fig. 4 where side wall 27 is s'hownin approximately thesame positions establishedby the corner pitching means 33 in Figs. 2 and3.

When it is desired to fold up the protective device for easyportability, the foot elements 71, if they are being used, are firstfolded up alongside the walls 27 and 34, and the corner means 33 and 41are-placed in the unpitched position shown in Fig. 1. Free end panels.31 and 39 are then folded outwardly on hinges 52 "and 53, respectively,up against'intermediate panels 30 and 38, respectively. The two sets ofpanels '30, 31 and 38, 39 are then folded inwardly on hinges 54 and 55,respectively, upagainst intermediate panels 29 and"37,' respectively. JThe two sets ofpanels 29, 3t), 31 and 37, 38, 39 are then foldedoutwardly on hings 5'7 and 58, respectively, 'up against end panels 28and 36', respectively.

The t'w'o setsofpanels 28, 29, 30,131 and 36, 37, 38,39 are then foldedinwardly on hinges 59and the hinges (not shown)v on corner means 41,respectively, up against front panels 22' and 23,respect'ively'. The twosets of panels 2-2, 28, 29, 30,31hand23, 36,137, 38, 39' are then foldedinwardlylon" hinges 24"a'nd- 25, respectively, about center-bar 21 toform afcompact portableunines shown in Fig. 8. i

.inf Fig-T7 where the device is illustrated in partly folded Thedirection offfolding clearly shown byihe position. The completely'folded unitappear'sin Big. 8.

center bai' "21- for ease in carrying. Fastening ,means lfiz connectspanels 22 and;23 to "prevent th e'devicefrom opening in closed position;and 'c'oinprisesla 109 133,

' whichrhay'be leather, fastenedjto panel 22 and a book 134 fastened to.panel to ffit'i-through and engage an opening inthe end ofloop 133.'Aplil tflity of fas ing means 132 can be used, if desired, spaced alongend panels 22 and 23.

It is understood that the open shape of the protective device is notlimited to the shape shown in Fig. 1. Various other combinations offolded panels can be used.

The particular embodiments of the invention illustrated and describedare to be considered illustrative only. The present invention includessuch other modi- =fications and equivalents as may readily occur tothose skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A protective and reflective device constructed for placement on theground comprising a plane surface reflective front wall having apredetermined length, a pair of side walls, each of said side wallsbeing connected to hinged corner portions connecting said side walls andsaid front wall, said side walls extending outwardly from said frontwall along the ground, said corner portions located at the intersectionof said walls and having hinge connections, each of said portions havingslots formed therein, and means mounted on said walls for selective,engagement with said slots for determining the pitch of said wallsrelative to the ground, said walls being hinged in sections and arrangedto collapse upon themselves to form a compact portable unit.

2. A protective and reflective device constructed for placement on theground comprising a front wall having a predetermined length andpositioned to form an angle with the ground, a pair of side walls, eachof said side walls being connected at one end with an end of said frontwall and extending outwardly therefrom along the ground, said side wallsdiminishing in height toward their free ends, corner portions located atthe intersection of said walls, each of said portions comprising a pairof hinged together triangular shaped parts having an elongated slotformed therein, each of said parts pivotally mounted on one of saidwalls, holding means mounted on said walls and selectively engageablealong said slots for determining variations in pitch of said wallsrelative to the ground, and elements associated with said walls andadapted to be placed in contact with the ground for maintaining saidwalls in said pitched position, said walls hinged in sections andadapted to collapse upon themselves to form a compact portable unit.

3. A protective and reflective device as set forth in claim 2 in whichsaid elements comprise slotted stakes slidably mounted on said walls andfastening means associated with said walls being operable to maintainsaid stakes in a selected vertical position with respect to said walls.

4. An outdoor protective and reflective device constructed for placementon the ground comprising a front wall having a predetermined lengthgreater than its height and positioned to form an angle with the ground,a pair of side walls, each of said side walls associated at one end ofsaid front wall and extending outwardly therefrom along the ground, saidside wall diminishing in height toward their free ends, corner portionslocated at the intersections and pivotally mounted along the bottom edgeof said walls with slots formed therein, holding means integral withsaid walls and slidably positioned in said slots for selectiveengagement therewith for determining variations in pitch of said wallsrelative to the ground, elements hingedly mounted on said walls andprojecting outwardly therefrom along the ground, each of said elementshaving a member pivotally mounted on its free end and extending upwardlyand adapted for selective '6 engagement along the outside of said wallsto maintain said walls in one of said selected pitched positions, saidwalls, portions and elements hinged to be folded upon themselves to forma compact portable unit.

5. An outdoor protective and reflective device constructed for placementon the ground comprising a front wall having a predetermined lengthgreater than its height and positioned'to form an angle with the ground,said front wall including a center bar with a hinged front panel oneither side, a pair of side walls, each of said side walls associatedwith one end of each of said hinged panels and including a plurality ofhinged side panels di minishing in height toward their free ends, cornerportions located at the intersections and pivotally mounted along thebottom edge of said walls with arced slots forming therein, holdingmeans integral with said walls and slidably positioned in said slots forselective engagement therewith for determining variations in pitch ofsaid Walls relative to the ground, elements hingedly mounted on saidwalls and projecting outwardly therefrom along the ground, each of saidelements having a member pivotally mounted on its outward free end andextending upwardly and inwardly for selective engagement along theoutside or" said walls to maintain said walls in one of said selectedpitched positions, said hinged side panels foldable upon themselves ontoeach of said hinged front panels and said front panels foldable aboutsaid center bar to form a compact portable unit, a carrying handlemounted on said center bar and fastening means associated with the endsof said side panels to maintain said unit in folded position.

6. An outdoor protective and reflective device as set forth in claim 5in which said walls are formed of light weight metal.

7. An outdoor protective and reflective device constructed for placementon the ground comprising a front wall having a predetermined length, apair. of side walls, each of said side walls being connected at one endto an end of said front wall and extending outwardly therefrom along theground, corner portions located at the intersection of said walls andhingedly associated for 180 swinging movement of one relative to oneother, each of said portions having a pair of hinged together triangularshaped parts having an elongated slot formed therein, each of said partspivotally mounted on one of said walls, holding means mounted on saidwalls and selectively engageable along said slots for determiningvariations in pitch of said walls relative to the ground,

and elements associated with said walls and adapted to be placed incontact with the ground for maintaining said walls in said pitchedposition, said walls hinged in sections and adapted to collapse to forma compact portable unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS827,483 Voorhees July 31, 1906 1,412,302 Wittmann Apr. 11, 19221,733,756 Rittenhouse Oct. 29, 1929 1,734,505 Swanfeldt Nov. 5, 19291,740,486 Wheelock Dec. 24, 1929 1,930,404 Wagner Oct. 10, 19332,078,975 Roberts May 4, 1937 2,294,046 Cser Aug. 25, 1942 2,308,109Rundquist Jan. 12, 1943 2,576,384 Bentley Nov. 27, 1951 2,675,807 PurselApr. 20, 1954

